The Trump Administration & US-Asia Pacific Relations

This resource will track statements, developments, visits, and other interactions in US-Asia Pacific relations under the President Trump administration. Special focus will be given to the comments and activities of President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr., and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. To view the positions of members of the administration on key Asia Pacific issues, scroll down or use the links below.

President Donald J. Trump

To view quotations, statements, and interactions with Asia-Pacific leaders by President Trump, click here.

Asia Pacific Countries Visited:

Has not yet traveled.

Positions on Key Asia Issues:

Asia Pacific Allies & Partners

Since his inauguration, President Trump has had numerous phone calls and discussions with leaders and business people from the Asia Pacific. He has pledged to renegotiate trade and refugee agreements to make such bilateral agreements more favorable for the United States. Upon meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on February 10, 2017, President Trump stated that the United States is behind Japan "100 percent" and reaffirmed security commitments to Japan. Both he and Prime Minister Abe also confirmed that they will work together to maintain a strong economic relationship following the stalled Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and the United States' withdrawal. In response to the continuing threat posed by North Korea, President Trump has stated that discussions with Japan and South Korea are ongoing over strengthening missile defense systems. President Trump has called for an investigation into the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) known as KORUS that the United States has with South Korea to potentially renegotiate it on more favorable terms for the United States.

China/Taiwan

President Trump has condemnedthe ongoing efforts by China to continue its military expansion in the South China Sea, as well as its taking of a United States Navy research drone in international waters. While recognizing the importance of maintaining good relations with China, President Trump has advocated for stronger measures to be taken to curb China's harmful trade practices and to get it to follow through on its promises to bring North Korea to heel. In a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Trump stated that the United States would continue to upholdthe "One China" policy.

Following a phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, President Trump questioned why there was so much concern that such a phone call took place, especially considering the amount of military trade that the United States engages in with Taiwan.

Human Rights & Democracy

President Trump is working to renegotiate a refugee agreement with Australia to make the terms more favorable for the United States.

North Korea

President Trump has condemned North Korea's ongoing efforts to build up its inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. He also criticized China's reluctance to follow through on commitments to punish North Korea for its hostile behavior. He has not taken the possibility of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un off the table. In light of recent launches of ballistic missiles by North Korea, President Trump has agreed that close bilateral and trilateral ties with Japan and South Korea are necessary to counter the North Korean threat. According to President Trump, the potential for conflict with North Korea is quite high.

South China Sea

President Trump has condemned the ongoing efforts by China to continue its military expansion in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asia/Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

President Trump has engaged in conversations with Southeast Asian allies and partners on the phone and in person to reaffirm the importance of strengthening US-ASEAN relations.

Summits - APEC, East Asia (EAS), & US-ASEAN

Trade & Investment

President Trump has pledged to work closely with the Abe government in Japan to maintain strong bilateral economic ties, despite being critical of some of Japan's trade practices.

President Trump has been even more critical of China's trade practices, particularly their unfair policies towards US businesses, the loss of US jobs due to outsourcing to China, and the devaluation of its currency. However, he also has acknowledged the importance of maintaining a strong trade relationship with China.

President Trump has called for an investigation into the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) known as KORUS that the United States has with South Korea to potentially renegotiate it on more favorable terms for the United States.

Vice President Mike Pence

Asia Pacific Countries Visited:

South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia in April 2017.

Positions on Key Asia Pacific Issues:

Asia Pacific Allies & Partners

During his first trip to the Asia Pacific in April 2017, Vice President Pence vowed to uphold the United States' longstanding alliances in the region and work with allies and partners to maintain stability in the region. Vice President Pence met with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on February 21, 2017 to emphasized the importance of the United States' relationship with Australia. While meeting with Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso on February 10, Vice President Pence affirmed that the United States wishes to maintain strong economic and security ties with Japan, as well as reaffirming that under Article 5of the US-Japan Security Treaty all territory administered by Japan including the disputed Senkaku Islands is protected.

China/Taiwan

During his first trip to the Asia Pacific in April 2017, Vice President Pence emphasized the importance of China upping its commitment and efforts to curbing North Korea's aggression. He has continued to emphasize the importance of China's aid in dealing with North Korea while in Washington, DC.

Human Rights & Democracy

While on his first visit to the Asia Pacific in April 2017, Vice President Pence participated in an interfaith dialogue in Indonesia, the largest majority Muslim country in the world, and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to protecting religious freedom at home and abroad. He also stated that the Trump administration will uphold the refugee resettlement agreement that was agreed to under President Obama with Australia where refugees being held in Australian detention camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea will come to the US.

North Korea

During his first trip to the Asia Pacific in April 2017, Vice President Pence stated that the Trump administration was "abandon[ing] the failed policy of strategic patience" towards North Korea and would be "redoubling" efforts to work with allies and partners to put diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea to curb its aggression. Working with China to combat the threat posed by North Korea is also of extreme importance.

South China Sea

Southeast Asia/Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

During his first trip to the Asia Pacificin April 2017, Vice President Pence met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and other Indonesian leaders to reaffirm the United States' commitment to its strategic partnership with Indonesia, work to improve trade and investment practices in the bilateral relationship, and discuss religious freedom at an interfaith dialogue. He also met with members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and emphasized the importance of US trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole. In Washington, Vice President Pence met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to continue to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership between the United States and Vietnam.

Summits - APEC, East Asia (EAS), & US-ASEAN

Trade & Investment

Vice President Pence has pledged to continue to move forward with economic engagement with countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Japan. On his first trip to the Asia-Pacific he launched the US-Japan Economic Dialogue to continue the discussions between President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe on how to improve the US-Japan bilateral trade relationship. While on the same trip he praised the trade that the United States has with the Association with Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia. He has, however, expressed concerns about the US trade deficit with allies including South Korea following bilateral trade agreements.

Vice President Pence also met with members of the US-India Business Council to discuss opportunities of expanding economic partnerships and investment between the United States and India.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis

Asia Pacific Countries Traveled to:

India in September 2017.

Japan and South Korea in February 2017.

Singapore and Australia in June 2017.

Positions on Key Asia Issues:

Asia Pacific Allies & Partners

Secretary Mattis described the Asia Pacific region as a priority for the Trump administration to maintain the US commitment to the region. During his first trip abroad as Secretary of Defense in February 2017, Gen. Mattis reaffirmed the United States' commitments to its allies Japan and South Korea. The United States would act swiftly to preserve the security of its allies against outside threats, including but not limited to hostile acts by North Korea and China. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the US commitment to Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which includes security of the Senkaku Islands, and advocated for both the United States and its allies to continue to grow and streamline their defense capabilities. While attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2017, Secretary Mattis emphasized the importance of ASEAN and the United States' individual alliances and partnerships with ASEAN member nations, both at the Dialogue and during individual meetings in Washington, DC. Along with Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Mattis also praised the US alliance with Australia during the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Sydney.

China/Taiwan

Secretary Mattis advocated for an inter-governmental approach combined with allies to maintain stability in the South China Sea and counter China's expansion. During the first-ever Diplomatic and Security Dialogue (D&SD) im June 2017 with Secretary Tillerson and their Chinese counterparts in Washington, DC, Secretary Mattis affirmed the importance of cooperating with China on areas of mutual security concern such as North Korea.

Secretary Mattis maintained the United States' commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and providing Taiwan with the defensive means to maintain stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Human Rights & Democracy

North Korea

While stopping shortof declaring President Trump's recent comments concerning North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program a red line, Secretary Mattis stated that it is imperative to prevent North Korea from conducting more tests and that no options, including the use of force, should be taken off the table when it comes to dealing with North Korea. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' commitment to its allies' defense should North Korea attack. In a recent joint statement with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Intelligence Dan Coats, Secretary Mattis condemned North Korea's provocative actions in the Asia Pacific region and underscored the importance of working with allies in the region to combat the threat. He has also underscored the importance of working with allies and partners in the region to counter the threat posed by North Korea, including China.

South China Sea

Secretary Mattis advocated for an inter-governmental approach to work with allies in the region in order to maintain stability in the South China Sea and counter China's expansion.

Southeast Asia/Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Secretary Mattis agreed that there needs to be a concerted effort to combat ISIS and other terrorist groups not just in the Middle East but also in Southeast Asia so these groups are not allowed to move from one region to the other.

While attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2017, Secretary Mattis emphasized the importance of ASEAN and the United States' individual alliances and partnerships with ASEAN member nations, both at the Dialogue and during individual meetings in Washington, DC.

Asia Pacific Allies & Partners

On a follow-up meeting with Economy Minister Seko in Tokyo on April 18, 2017, Secretary Ross expressed the Trump administration's desire to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with Japan.

Secretary Ross has condemned China's unfair trade practices, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, dumping of Chinese products, and questionable investment practices in the United States. He also has seemed receptive to increasing trade with Taiwan, but has deferred to President Trump's decision given the sensitive nature of the topic. South Korean and Indian products such as steel and other building materials have also come under new anti-dumping measures undertaken by the Commerce Department.

While there is no US-India Free Trade Agreement, Secretary Ross did not rule out the possibility of one in the future though there are no current plans to pursue one. .

China/Taiwan

Secretary Ross has condemned China's unfair trade practices, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, steel dumping, and questionable investment practices in the United States. He also has seemed receptive to increasing trade with Taiwan, but has deferred to President Trump's decision given the sensitive nature of the topic.

Summits - APEC, East Asia (EAS), & US-ASEAN

Trade & Investment

On a follow-up meeting with Economy Minister Seko in Tokyo on April 18, 2017, Secretary Ross expressed the Trump administration's desire to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with Japan.

Secretary Ross has condemned China's unfair trade practices, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, dumping of Chinese products, and questionable investment practices in the United States. He also has seemed receptive to increasing trade with Taiwan, but has deferred to President Trump's decision given the sensitive nature of the topic. South Korean and Indian products such as steel and other building materials have also come under new anti-dumping measures undertaken by the Commerce Department.

While there is no US-India Free Trade Agreement, Secretary Ross did not rule out the possibility of one in the future though there are no current plans to pursue one.

Asia Pacific Countries Visited:

Positions on Key Asia Issues:

Asia Pacific Allies & Partners

Secretary Tillerson departed from President Trump's statement concerning the utility of Japan and South Korea acquiring their own nuclear weapons and committed to combat nuclear proliferation.

Secretary Tillerson stated that due to commitments under the US-Japan Security Treaty the United States should be prepared to act if Japan is threatened by other countries in the region.

When questioned during his confirmation about the extrajudicial killings being conducted in the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Secretary Tillerson expressed hesitance to call such actions human rights violations until he was privy to more information from sources on the ground.

Secretary Tillerson has pledged to work with US ally Australia on areas of mutual concern such as the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria, as well as the threat posed by ISIS.

China/Taiwan

Secretary Tillerson emphasized the need for the United States to take an "all China approach." While stating that China is an important economic partner and has worked with the United States on areas of mutual interest such as combating terrorism, Secretary Tillerson stated it is important to remember that China often acts for its own interests in ways that can draw it into competition/conflict with the United States. China's trade practices do not always follow global rules and norms, it is engaging in illegal activities in the South China Sea, and it is not pressuring North Korea to end its nuclear program despite having great economic clout over North Korea. Secretary Tillerson advocated for using sanctions and other means to further pressure China to follow through on its commitments to in turn pressure North Korea to end its hostile behavior. During his first visit to China on March 18, 2017, Secretary Tillerson stated that human rights, both within China itself and in regards to North Korean refugees that seek safety in China, would continue to be a point of discussion with China in US Asia policy.

Secretary Tillerson emphasized the need to reaffirm US commitments to Taiwan under existing agreements but did not expect there to be an alteration to the "One China" policy under the Trump administration despite concerns arising from President Trump's phone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Human Rights & Democracy

When questioned during his confirmation about the extrajudicial killings being conducted in the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Secretary Tillerson expressed his hesitance to call such actions human rights violations until he was privy to more information from sources on the ground. During his first visit to China on March 18, 2017, Secretary Tillerson stated that human rights, both within China itself and in regards to North Korean refugees that seek safety in China, would continue to be a point of discussion with China in US Asia policy.

Similarly, while acknowledging that China is a violator of human rights, Secretary Tillerson did not wish to compare China's human rights violations to those of other countries without more information. He did however state that human rights feature prominently in bilateral discussions with China.

North Korea

Secretary Tillerson acknowledged that the sanctions that are currently in place against North Korea, including those through the UN, have been poorly enforced and therefore there is a need to work with allies and partners in the region to close gaps in existing sanctions and the possible need for more sanctions. Such sanctions might also need to be directed at China and its trade with North Korea, given that China supplies 90% of North Korea's needs and has thus far poorly enforced existing sanctions against North Korea despite its economic clout. On his first trip to the Asia Pacific in March 2017, Secretary Tillerson stated that a new approach to countering the North Korean threat as required as diplomacy had "failed" to address the issue and maintaining a strong trilateral alliance with Japan and South Korea was of vital importance. In a recent joint statement with Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of Intelligence Dan Coats, Secretary Tillerson condemned North Korea's provocative actions in the Asia Pacific region and undescored the importance of working with allies in the region to combat the threat.

South China Sea

Secretary Tillerson condemned China's island building and other military activities in the South China Sea as illegal and akin to Russia's invasion of Crimea in terms of violating respected rules and norms. While acknowledging concerns surrounding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Secretary Tillerson expressed his openness to discussing eventual US ratification of the convention with President Trump.

Southeast Asia/Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

When questioned during his confirmation about the extrajudicial killings being conducted in the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Secretary Tillerson expressed his hesitance to call such actions human rights violations until he was privy to more information from sources on the ground.

During meetings with the leaders of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington, DC Secretary Tillerson emphasized the importance of strengthening the US-ASEAN partnership.

Summits - APEC, East Asia (EAS), & US-ASEAN

Trade & Investment

Secretary Tillerson has pledged to continue to move forward with economic engagement with countries in the Asia Pacific, including China and India.

Methodology: Policy materials and quotations from President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are limited to after November 9, 2016 when they were formally elected as the 45th President and 48th Vice President of the United States, respectively. Policy materials and quotations from Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr., and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have been collated since their Senate confirmation hearings on January 12, 2017, January 18, 2017, and January 11, 2017, respectively. Should any quotations before the period be deemed relevant they will be indicated by an asterisk (*) after the date. In all cases, these additional quotations were made within the year prior to the start of the Trump Administration. Flag icons that indicate which countries members of the Trump administration have traveled to are provided by Freepik, accessed through www.flaticon.com.